Summary

Throughout history, humans have dreamed of knowing the reason for the existence of the universe. In The Mind of God, physicist Paul Davies explores whether modern science can provide the key that will unlock this last secret. In his quest for an ultimate explanation, Davies reexamines the great questions that have preoccupied humankind for millennia, and in the process explores, among other topics, the origin and evolution of the cosmos, the nature of life and consciousness, and the claim that our universe is a kind of gigantic computer. Charting the ways in which the theories of such scientists as Newton, Einstein, and more recently Stephen Hawking and Richard Feynman have altered our conception of the physical universe. Davies puts these scientists' discoveries into context with the writings of philosophers such as Plato. Descartes, Hume, and Kant. His startling conclusion is that the universe is ''no minor byproduct of mindless, purposeless forces. We are truly meant to be here.'' By the means of science, we can truly see into the mind of God.

Author Bio

Davies, Paul : University of Adelaide

Paul Davies is Professor of Mathematical Physics at the University of Adelaide in Australia. His earlier books include God and the New Physics, The Cosmic Blueprint, Superforce, and Other Worlds.

Table of Contents

Preface

CHAPTER 1 REASON AND BELIEF

The Scientific Miracle Human Reason and Common Sense Thoughts About Thought A Rational World Metaphysics: Who Needs It? Time and Eternity: The Fundamental Paradox of Existence

CHAPTER 2 CAN THE UNIVERSE CREATE ITSELF?

Was There a Creation Event? Creation from Nothing The Beginning of Time Cyclic World Revisited Continuous Creation Did God Cause the Big Bang? Creation without Creation Mother and Child Universes

CHAPTER 3 WHAT ARE THE LAWS OF NATURE?

The Origin of Law The Cosmic Code The Status of the Laws Today What Does It Mean for Something to "Exist"? In the Beginning

Simulating Reality Is the Universe a Computer? The Unattainable The Unknowable The Cosmic Program

CHAPTER 6 THE MATHEMATICAL SECRET

Is Mathematics Already "Out There"? The Cosmic Computer Why Us? Why Are the Laws of Nature Mathematical?. How Can We Know Something without Knowing Everything?

CHAPTER 7 WHY IS THE WORLD THE WAY IT IS?

An Intelligible Universe A Unique Theory of Everything? Contingent Order The Best of All Possible Worlds? Beauty as a Guide to Truth Is God Necessary? A Dipolar God and Wheeler's Cloud Does God Have to Exist? The Options A God Who Plays Dice

CHAPTER 8 DESIGNER UNIVERSE

The Unity of the Universe Life Is So Difficult Has the Universe Been Designed by an Intelligent Creator? The Ingenuity of Nature A Place for Everything and Everything in Its Place Is There Need for a Designer? Multiple Realities Cosmological Darwinism

Throughout history, humans have dreamed of knowing the reason for the existence of the universe. In The Mind of God, physicist Paul Davies explores whether modern science can provide the key that will unlock this last secret. In his quest for an ultimate explanation, Davies reexamines the great questions that have preoccupied humankind for millennia, and in the process explores, among other topics, the origin and evolution of the cosmos, the nature of life and consciousness, and the claim that our universe is a kind of gigantic computer. Charting the ways in which the theories of such scientists as Newton, Einstein, and more recently Stephen Hawking and Richard Feynman have altered our conception of the physical universe. Davies puts these scientists' discoveries into context with the writings of philosophers such as Plato. Descartes, Hume, and Kant. His startling conclusion is that the universe is ''no minor byproduct of mindless, purposeless forces. We are truly meant to be here.'' By the means of science, we can truly see into the mind of God.

Simulating Reality Is the Universe a Computer? The Unattainable The Unknowable The Cosmic Program

CHAPTER 6 THE MATHEMATICAL SECRET

Is Mathematics Already "Out There"? The Cosmic Computer Why Us? Why Are the Laws of Nature Mathematical?. How Can We Know Something without Knowing Everything?

CHAPTER 7 WHY IS THE WORLD THE WAY IT IS?

An Intelligible Universe A Unique Theory of Everything? Contingent Order The Best of All Possible Worlds? Beauty as a Guide to Truth Is God Necessary? A Dipolar God and Wheeler's Cloud Does God Have to Exist? The Options A God Who Plays Dice

CHAPTER 8 DESIGNER UNIVERSE

The Unity of the Universe Life Is So Difficult Has the Universe Been Designed by an Intelligent Creator? The Ingenuity of Nature A Place for Everything and Everything in Its Place Is There Need for a Designer? Multiple Realities Cosmological Darwinism

Summary

Throughout history, humans have dreamed of knowing the reason for the existence of the universe. In The Mind of God, physicist Paul Davies explores whether modern science can provide the key that will unlock this last secret. In his quest for an ultimate explanation, Davies reexamines the great questions that have preoccupied humankind for millennia, and in the process explores, among other topics, the origin and evolution of the cosmos, the nature of life and consciousness, and the claim that our universe is a kind of gigantic computer. Charting the ways in which the theories of such scientists as Newton, Einstein, and more recently Stephen Hawking and Richard Feynman have altered our conception of the physical universe. Davies puts these scientists' discoveries into context with the writings of philosophers such as Plato. Descartes, Hume, and Kant. His startling conclusion is that the universe is ''no minor byproduct of mindless, purposeless forces. We are truly meant to be here.'' By the means of science, we can truly see into the mind of God.

Author Bio

Davies, Paul : University of Adelaide

Paul Davies is Professor of Mathematical Physics at the University of Adelaide in Australia. His earlier books include God and the New Physics, The Cosmic Blueprint, Superforce, and Other Worlds.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Preface

CHAPTER 1 REASON AND BELIEF

The Scientific Miracle Human Reason and Common Sense Thoughts About Thought A Rational World Metaphysics: Who Needs It? Time and Eternity: The Fundamental Paradox of Existence

CHAPTER 2 CAN THE UNIVERSE CREATE ITSELF?

Was There a Creation Event? Creation from Nothing The Beginning of Time Cyclic World Revisited Continuous Creation Did God Cause the Big Bang? Creation without Creation Mother and Child Universes

CHAPTER 3 WHAT ARE THE LAWS OF NATURE?

The Origin of Law The Cosmic Code The Status of the Laws Today What Does It Mean for Something to "Exist"? In the Beginning

Simulating Reality Is the Universe a Computer? The Unattainable The Unknowable The Cosmic Program

CHAPTER 6 THE MATHEMATICAL SECRET

Is Mathematics Already "Out There"? The Cosmic Computer Why Us? Why Are the Laws of Nature Mathematical?. How Can We Know Something without Knowing Everything?

CHAPTER 7 WHY IS THE WORLD THE WAY IT IS?

An Intelligible Universe A Unique Theory of Everything? Contingent Order The Best of All Possible Worlds? Beauty as a Guide to Truth Is God Necessary? A Dipolar God and Wheeler's Cloud Does God Have to Exist? The Options A God Who Plays Dice

CHAPTER 8 DESIGNER UNIVERSE

The Unity of the Universe Life Is So Difficult Has the Universe Been Designed by an Intelligent Creator? The Ingenuity of Nature A Place for Everything and Everything in Its Place Is There Need for a Designer? Multiple Realities Cosmological Darwinism